[email protected] Technique Entertainment Editor: Jennifer Aldoretta 17 Friday, Assistant Entertainment Editor: September 4, 2009 Entertainment Richard Otis
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[email protected] Technique Entertainment Editor: Jennifer Aldoretta 17 Friday, Assistant Entertainment Editor: September 4, 2009 Entertainment Richard Otis Zombie’s latest installment OUR TAKE: « «««« butchers Carpenter’s By Kristin Hanson untouchable original Staff Writer Mass murderer Michael Myers has some unfinished business left over from last year’s Halloween, including making sure that the girls that survived would never live to see another. Rob Zombie started remaking the Halloween franchise in 2007. The film mimicked the 1978 original by John Carpenter, but with a much more de- mented twist appropriate for Zombie, who has directed other horror titles such as House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects. Zombie’s first Halloween remake gave a lot of insight into Michael Myers’ time in a mental institution after murdering members of his family. The gore was incredibly realistic and, while no remake will ever be better than Carpen- ter’s Halloween, it could easily stand alone as a decent film. With Halloween II, however, Zombie completely missed the mark and ru- ined what credibility he earned with his first remake. The horror imagery in the movie is very realistic and can make anyone squeamish, so at least Zombie has that down. Unfortunately, the acting and the plot overshadow that aspect. Only those looking exclusively for blood-curdling gore will enjoy watching it. The movie starts seconds after the first one ended with Laurie, Annie and Dr. Loomis being rushed to the ER and Michael Myers’ “dead” body being driven away by some coroners. While the victims are being stitched up, the coroner van crashes and Myers rises from the dead unscathed. Laurie continues to be haunted by nightmares a year later and is left emo- tionally unstable, but she is able to accept the idea that Myers is dead and is never coming back despite the body never being found. Meanwhile, Dr. Loomis is stuffing his pockets with money gained by selling a novel about Michael’s life and the terrible events that occurred the previ- ous year, without any regard for the feelings of the victims themselves or their families. Though there is some speculation among reporters that Myers could still be out there alive, Dr. Loomis strongly assures everyone that Myers is gone for good. Throughout the movie, Myers has recurring visions of his mother and him- self as a child accompanied by a white horse, which at the beginning of the movie is explained as an interpretation of passion and rage in dreams. The film See Halloween, page 19 Image courtesy of Dimension Films Level-5’s Layton engulfs players in diabolical puzzles GAMES Though fans of the series can finally immerse themselves in the Professor Layton and the secrets of the Diabolical Box, the Diabolical Box Japanese version of the same game GENRE: Puzzle was actually released roughly two years ago. In fact, the third chap- CONSOLE: Nintendo DS ter of the Professor Layton trilogy DEVELOPER: Level-5 had already hit stores in Japan at the end of last year. RATING: Everyone 10+ This push-back in the global RELEASED: August 24, 2009 versus Japanese release dates con- tributes to several profound char- OUR TAKE: ««««« acteristics of the game that need to be addressed. By Zheng Zheng The original (and the prequel) Contributing Writer Professor Layton and the Curious Village was very well received by After a year and a half of an- the DS community. ticipation since the original, the Though puzzle games are in- much belated second installment festing the DS system, the Profes- of Level-5’s Professor Layton series sor Layton series was a revolution- on the Nintendo DS, Professor ary novelty that transformed the Layton and the Diabolical Box, fi- genre with its unique artworks, nally hit North America this year superb complimentary audios and on Aug. 24. fascinating plot twists in the main Image courtesy of Level-5 This time, puzzle adventure ad- story. All of this can be rediscov- dicts around the world can assist ered in Diabolical Box, with im- first and the second game were re- Nintendo fans everywhere know touch screen, the answer is not al- the gentleman detective Professor provements found in some places leased within only nine months of but one thing, it would be that ways simply multiple choice or the Layton and his trusted assistant but not everywhere. one another. However, the unique it’s the game play that makes or quick touch of a button. Diaboli- Luke as they unravel the mysteries The graphics of the latest Pro- art style of the series is still present breaks the games. This is precisely cal Box, like its predecessor, fully behind the murderous Diabolical fessor Layton game received no and the overall display is still very where the Professor Layton series utilizes the touch-screen capabil- Box that is said to kill anyone who renovation since the last. This is visually appealing. Furthermore, excels. ity of the DS system, allowing opens it and gazes upon the con- mainly due to the fact that the the DS was never quite known Although the game does imple- tents inside. original Japanese version of the for its graphic capabilities, and if ment solving puzzles on the DS’s See Layton, page 18 18 • September 4, 2009 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT Layton from page 17 The user interface of the game, list and story notes sections of a turn off for others who might opportunity. much like the game’s graphics, ba- the game remain intact with no have wanted a simpler diversion. Overall, Professor Layton and sically remained the same as well. obvious alterations. One thing to Professor Layton and the Dia- the Diabolical Box is a superb players to trace through mazes, Whether it’s the starting menu, notice, however, is the increased bolical Box guarantees a game play choice for short-session gaming drag objects across the screen and the in-game menu interface or the difficulties of the puzzles in Dia- time of at least ten hours. This between work periods. circle suspicious parts of rooms. In option to move around, every- bolical Box. is just to rush through the main Although Diabolical Box suf- fact, the game is completely oper- thing was exactly the same as the Where the first installment led story, not nearly finishing and dis- fers an identity crisis, as very few ated through the stylus, a feature original. players through the storyline in a covering all the secrets that hide elements of the game separate it- rarely seen in DS games. More However, the mini-game sec- relatively easy learning curve lead- within the game. self from the series, it is still an impressively, the second install- tion of Diabolical Box did receive ing up to the final brainteasers, With an increasing number of easy gaem to pick up and get in- ment of the series is one of the few enhancement. Completing these Diabolical Box keeps the players puzzles from the original and their volved in. The min-game features games in the DS franchise that ac- addictive side features now brings busy with some rather difficult increased difficulties, one is sure encourage quick-play, while the tually requires the use of the mi- players in-game rewards that they problems right from the start. to spend a good amount of time style and increasing difficulty of crophone, a rather neglected func- do not want to miss. Other than While this is nice for hardcore scratching his or her head solving the challenging puzzels draw play- tion of the gaming device. that, the puzzle index, mystery puzzle-solvers, it does prove to be the conundrums presented at each ers in for the full experience. technique unlimited mobile plans starting at 0 Upload $22 5 videos A MONTH to your liveliest newspaper. college the south’s blog from the lawn. While you skip your media class about blogging. Whether you’re at home, on campus, or pretty much anywhere in between, you can stream TV, movies, play online games and video chat on your laptop 4x faster than with mobile internet from a cell phone company. It’s all the internet you’ll ever need. Super fast mobile internet™ go to clear.com/college call 1·866·579·2720 or visit a store near you. $22.50 rate plan is a promotional rate plan and is valid for your first 3 monthly payments, thereafter the monthly rate is $45 per month. Offer expires October 31, 2009. 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ENTERTAINMENT Technique • September 4, 2009 • 19 Destination finalizes failure FILM there’s the arrogant blonde horn- moments and occasional humor, The Final Destination dog, a fairly sympathetic security it’s pretty much the same movie as guard and a nameless redneck that the last three no matter how cre- GENRE: Horror, Thriller seems to have been thrown in as ative they try to get with the death STARRING: Bobby Campo an afterthought. scenes. and Shantel VanSanten Suddenly Nick (Bobby Cam- In that respect, it’s pretty much po) has a startling vision of the only good if you like odd, horrific DIRECTOR: David R.